TRIBUTES TO MR O’BRIEN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25301, 29 September 1947, Page 6

TRIBUTES TO MR O’BRIEN

THE PRIME MINISTER (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, September 28. “With the death of Mr O’Brien, New Zealand has suffered a grievous loss,” said the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) to-night. “His life is a record of devoted service to his fellow-men. Parliament has been enriched by bis long years of service, and as a member of the Government his efficiency and untiring devotion to duty won the greatest esteem and affection of all bis colleagues. “The people of Westland particularly will mdurn the loss of Mr O’Brien, who has worked unceasingly for their welfare and progress for the last 43 years.” Mr Fraser said that Mr O’Brien had worked with unremitting zeal in the service of his country, and had spared nothing to do his best for bis fellowmen. Mr O’Brien was estepmed by everyone with whom he lived and worked. ♦*! and my colleagues particularly valued his loyalty and cch operation, his clear understanding, and his ready sympathy. ‘’To the Government and the Labour movement as a whole, the loss is irreparable. His personal experiences in undertaking the hardest kinds of work under various occupational and climatic conditions, including Northern Queensland and New Guinea, together with his knowledge of economics and his general wide culture, provided him with a unique equipment for the duties of a meipber of Parliament and of a Minister of the Crown. To every task of administration he brought a great love of efficiency and order, together with an inspiring enthusiasm for achieving solid progress. He was both an idealist and a realist. “Devotion to Duty” “His close application, indeed, his devotion to duty, made him a mostthorough Bnd effective Minister, while hi? unfailing good humour and cheerfulness made him an ideal colleague. As a private member of Parliament he was untiring in his work for his constituents.

“As Minister of Labour and Mines he drew liberally on his own extensive knowledge and experience, to the great advantage of both legislation and administration. The duties of his other portfolios he carried out in an outstanding fashion. His work on behalf of road safety will endure in beneficial results. His own engineering experience made the administration of the inspection and machinery branch of the Marine Department his special care, particularly in regard to safety devices. The difficult problem of the West Coast harbours was perpetually before him, and he gave it his closest and most zealous attention, arranging for the best advice available from the highest overseas experts. “Mr O’Brien was upheld and inspired in all he did with a great love of his fellow-men. pis unfailing and unyielding courage throughout his long period of illness deeply impressed all who witnessed it.”

MR F. A. KITCHINGHAM From Our Own Reporter GREYMOUTH, Sept. 38. ‘-It is about 25 years since I first knew Mr O’Brien intimately, when we sat beside each other on the Greymouth Borough Council,” said the Mayor of Grey mouth (Mr F. A. Kitcningham). “Throughout that period he has given of his best to Westland in one category or another; he never spared himself and pushed any pro? position that he thought meritorious. Though an unswerving supporter of Labour ideals, he always kept his feet on the earth and faced up to any difficulty inherent in those ideals. Many a man and wqmap in Westland has cause to remember his kindly and charitable acts to them. Westland is the poorer for his passing, and tenders sincere sympathy to nis widow, who, in a gentle and understanding manner, has been a steadfast and capable helpmate in his political career.”